Veterans Day - a day to say, 'thank you.'

Tomorrow, November 11, our country will honor it's Veteran's. Officially, this is both a state and national holiday and it is posted as such by the words, "Veterans Day" (that's right, no apostrophe as the attributive, rather than the possessive, case is set as the official spelling).

Now I know that many today have little idea what this day is for, and, though this in itself is sad, it is, at the least, my intention to give in this blog some meaning and, prayerfully, merit for this day. To do so, let me touch on two things to help -

1. The origin and purpose of the day

2. What we each can and should do, both as citizens and Christians, to give the day the full dignity it deserves.

ORIGIN AND PURPOSE

A quick search from Wikipedia reminds us that U.S. President Woodrow Wilson first proclaimed an Armistice Day for November 11, 1919. Also, that the United States Congress passed a concurrent resolution seven years later on June 4, 1926, requesting then President, Calvin Coolidge, issue another proclamation to observe November 11 with appropriate ceremonies. On May 13, 1938, an act (52 Stat. 351; 5 U. S. Code, Sec. 87a) was approved making the 11th of November in each year a legal holiday; "a day to be dedicated to the cause of world peace and to be thereafter celebrated and known as 'Armistice Day'."

In 1953, an Emporia, Kansas shoe store owner named Al King had the idea to expand Armistice Day to celebrate all veterans, not just those who served in World War I.The Emporia Chamber of Commerce took up the cause after determining that 90% of Emporia merchants as well as the Board of Education supported closing their doors on November 11, 1953, to honor veterans. With the help of then-U.S. Rep. Ed Rees, also from Emporia, a bill for the holiday was pushed through Congress. President Dwight Eisenhower signed it into law on May 26, 1954

Congress amended this act on November 8, 1954, replacing "Armistice" with Veterans, and it has been known as Veterans Day since.

WHAT MIGHT WE DO TO GIVE THE DAY THE DIGNITY & SIGNIFICANCE IT DESERVES:

1. As citizens, we can say "thank you." Our country owes a great debt of gratitude to those who have served this country, and, indeed, the world, in seeking after and preserving peace. Whatever anyone else may think of us, history will tell the true story: that brave men and women from this country have long served the world, giving the ultimate sacrifice, often, of their very lives, in its quest and its preservation of peace. Even today, these real heroes make life as we enjoy it possible for us. If you don’t believe this, then just talk to persons in any kind of intelligence or national security and they will set you straight. This world, and each of us in particular, owes them our thanks.

2. As Christians, we can pray. Wilson was a seeker of peace. His efforts in support of the League of Nations, which are written in our history books, speak plainly of his aspirations and strong desire. Was he naive? Many thought so. Was he wrong in his desire? Absolutely not! Scripture tells us that as Christians we are to seek peace, live in peace, pray for it, and do what we can to preserve it. President Wilson took this on.

So tomorrow is not just another day. It is a day that our country does well to observe. Our children should know of it, as should we, and we should teach them by our own example. Take time as a family tomorrow to seek out a veteran and say to them, 'thanks.' Maybe that veteran is a grandpa, an uncle or an aunt. Maybe he or she is a cousin or a friend. Whoever they are - just do it.

Secondly, take time with your family to pray for our troops - those at home and abroad. Pray for their safety, their courage and their families. Make Veterans Day a day that we really do what we ought to do - say thanks to those who’ve served, both us, our world and the causes of freedom and peace. Something President Wilson hoped for. Something, admittedly, we know will only be found ultimately in Christ. But… something we all should and must aspire for as long as God gives us breath.

Pastor Sam